Squeeze container applicator



Sept 10, 1968 G. scHwARTzMAN @400,997

SQUEEZE CONTA INER APPLICATOR Filed March 26, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 flaxSept 10, 1968 G. scHwAR-rzMAN 3,400,997

SQUEEZE CONTAINER APPLICATOR 2 Sheets-Sheet'l 2 Filed March 26, 1965F/Gs United States Patent O 3,400,997 SQUEEZE CONTAINER APPLICATORGilbert Schwartzman, 20 Wilmot Circle, Scarsdale, N.Y. 10583 Filed Mar.26, 1965, Ser. No. 443,021 8 Claims. (Cl. 401186) ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE An applicator comprising a squeezable container having acylindrical body secured thereto. The body includes a transverse webhaving an opening with a raised peripheral rib about the opening andforming a valve seat. A valve member is movable with respect to thevalve seat and controls fluid flow through the opening. The valve memberincludes an applicator head above the web engageable with the rib tocontrol ilud ow from the container to the head. A helical coil springdisposed entirely below the web is provided for urging the head awayfrom the rib. A cap is provided which is threadedly engageable with thecontainer and has a shoulder engage- -able with the head 4for forcing`the head against the rib when the cap is closed.

This invention relates to an applicator adapted for use in conjunctionwith squeeze type containers in applying metered amounts of medications,cosmetics, polish, paints, ink, and other fluids of various viscosityfrom said squeeze type containers onto an appropriate surface.

An object of this invention resides in the provision of means forfacilitating the application of metered amounts of fluid from a squeezetype container to the applicator head for application to appropriatesurfaces, and for providing means for maintaining the applicator withina substantially dome-like cover which effectuates a positive sealpreventing fluid loss when the cover is aiiixed to the body of theapplicator.

Another object of this invention resides in the provision of novel valvemeans which is adapted to be manually actuated and serves to meter theamount of fluid to be dispensed from the applicator for delivery offluid onto the appropriate surface, independent of the contour or shapeof the surface so that the fluid may be conveniently dispensed onto theapplicator head, which is provided with bristles, in a mannerfacilitating the application of fluid.

One of the features of this invention resides in the novel movableapplicator head arranged to co-act in conjunction with the various partsof a squeezable or deformable applicator, yet which applicator head isrotatable and longitudinally movably mounted.

One of the disadvantages of prior art daubers and applicators is thatthe applicator head, which has previously been made of a porousresilient material, such as foam rubber, becomes deformed and oftenloses the desired shape thereof when it is saturated with fluid. Inorder to maintain the desired shape, various inserts of sponge or foammaterial, reservoirs, or the like have been employed, but likewise thesematerials often become deformed and become saturated and clogged withlluid therein and deteriorate as a result of being constantly saturatedwith uid. Further, it is very diflicult to control the amount of fluidwhich will be dispensed from the squeezable or deformable applicator inView of the fact that the applicator surface has been continuallysaturated with tluid. By the use of a manually actuatable valvemechanism, the user can control the flow of fluid since no reservoirneed be provided, and no sponge-like material is employed, therebymaking it possible to provide an accurate disbursement of iiuid from theapplicator.

A further object of the invention resides in the provision of anapplicator having formed in one piece a body having a valve housing, aprojecting portion for fitting in the neck of a squeezable fluidcontainer, an applicator head and a sealing cap or cover which is soarranged as to positively seal the applicator assembly when not in use,which applicator may be used for dispensing medications, cosmetics, shoepolish, ink or paints, in metered amounts, yet which is very inexpensiveto manufacture since it requires only one movable part therein.

Further, it is an object of this invention to provide a fluid applicatorwhich will be long lasting and not subject to deterioration whereinnumerous applicator heads such as brushes, combs, daubers, felt nibs orthe like may be employed with the identical construction of the valveassembly and applicator body.

Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide anapplicator having an applicator head and a closure cap, which, when thecap is in a closed position, will form a vapor lock within the cover toprevent seepage and hardening or evaporation of the fluid within theapplicator or from within the applicator head.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a manually operablespring actuated valve means for use in an applicator which may be usedwith a plurality of different applicator surfaces such as brushes anddaubers for dispensing metered amounts of iiuid without any modificationof the valve assembly.

Still further objects, features and advantages of this invention residein the provision of squeezable applicators which are not onlyinexpensive to manufacture and simple to use, but which yield theunexpected advantage of permitting the metering of fluid of variousviscosities in a very even and easily controllable manner, therebypreventing waste of iiuid contained therein.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of thisinvention, which will become apparent as the following descriptionproceeds are attained by this applicator, a preferred embodiment ofwhich has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way ofexample only, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of an applicator constructed inaccordance with the concepts of the present invention as installed inconjunction with the squeezable container forming a part of theapplicator with the removable cap attached to the applicator;

FIG. 2 is an exploded longitudinal sectional detail view of theapplicator illustrating the valve member in an open position, with theremovable cap spaced above the applicator;

FIG. 3 is a transverse sectional detail view illustrating the valvemember, taken along the plane of line 3-3 i-n FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the applicator head wit'h the cap removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the valve member and applicator head inaccordance with the concepts of the instant invention;

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a modified form of applicatorconstnucted in accordance with the present invention as installed inconjunction with a squeezab-le container forming a part of theapplicator;

FIG. 7 is an exploded longitudinal sectional view of the modifiedapplicatorill'ustrating the valve member in an lopen position, with" theremovable cap spaced above the applicator;

FIG. 8 is a transverse sectional view of the unoditied form of theapplicator illustrating the valve member as taken along the plane oflipe 8-8 in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective View of the v alve member of the modifiedapplicator;

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional view of a second `3 modificationof'the' applicator constructed in with the presentinvention; and v eFIG. 11 is a sectional detail view of another modified form of theinvention.

t .With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein likereference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views,reference numeral is used lto generally designate t-he applicator formedof nylon, rubber or polyethylene comprising the present invention.Thisapplicator includes a squeezable container 12, in which a body, 14is tted. The body 14 includes a projecting portion 16 of generallycylindrical shape, having a tapered lower end for convenience ofinserting the 'projecting portion 16 in the neck 20 of the squeezablecontainer 12. Further, the body 14 includes a web 22 which is integrallymolded with t'he projecting portion 16. Extending ,upwardly from the web22 is a iiange or sidewall 24 which terminates in an inwardly extendingswaged upper lip 26.

The web 22 is provided with a raised interior circular rib which rib 30is located inwardly of the interior .dgev28 of the lip 26. Spacedinwardly of the raised rib 30 is a central opening 32 which extendsthrough the web 22. A valve member 34 is provided with an enlarged-liead portion 36 which has a peripherally extending shoulder 38extending outwardly from the lower surface 41 of the head portion 36.Extending upwardly from the lower surface of the head portion 36,interior of the periphenal shoulder 38, is a head side wall 40 whichaccordance terminates in an upper surface 42. A plurality of bristles orthe like 44 are appended thereto extending outwardly from the uppersurface 42 of the head portion 36.

Extending downwardly from and integrally formed with the lhead portion36 is a neck portion 46 which eX- tends through the central opening 32and has integrally formed thereon an enlarged based portion 48 extendingoutwardly therefrom, which enlarged base portion 48 is of wider crosssection than the central opening 32 at at least one point. The enlargedbase portion 48 may be force' fitted through the central opening 32 ormay be aflixed to the neck portion 46 after the insertion through thecentral opening 32.

The neck portion 46 of the valve member 34 is of a smaller cross sectionthan the opening 32 in the web 22. The neck portionmay be of any desiredconfiguration such as circular, triangular, rectangular or any othershape. The side wall 50 of the neck portion 46 at no time willcompletely abut the side wall 33 of the central opening 32 so as toprevent the ,passage of tiuid through the opening 32 in the body 14.

A plurality of uid passages 54 :are formed, which extend through theenlarged head portion 36. The fluid passages 54 extend from the lowersurface 41 of the head 36 to the upper surface 42 and are locatedbetween the bristles 44 at a point outwardly of the rib 30 of web 22.

A coiled spring 56 is inserted into the body portion 14 which coiledspring lies against the lower edge of shoulder 38 of the head portion 36:and the web 22 of the body 14. The squeezable -container 12 is providedwith screw threads 60 along the -neck portion 20 thereof. A cap 62 isprovided with a bristle-receiving area 64 therein and an inwardly anddownwardly extending shoulder portion 66 which extends across theinterior of the cap 62. The cap is provided with screw threads 68 whichare complementary to and adapted to cooperate with the screw threads 60on tne squeezable container 12.

In use, with the body 14 inserted into the neck 20 of the squeezablecontainer 12, with the cap 62 removed, the applicator may be used in thefollowing manner:

The entire applicator unit would be inverted so that t'he body 14 andthe bristles 44 'are facing downward toward a receiving surface. In thisposition, with the cap 62 removed from the squeezable container 12, thecoiled spring exerts a force lon the valve lmember 34 so as to urge thelower surface 41 ofthe valve member 34 VoutY of engagement with the`upwardly extending circular rib 30 of web 22 in such a mannerthat theupper surface of the shoulder 38 will 'abut the swaged lip 26. In thisposition, uid ycan be squeezed through the central opening 32 in web 22.Since the fluid passages 54 in the head 36 are located outwardly of Ithecircular rib 30, the head 36 must be away from the web 22 for fluid toow.

In order to dispense the desired amount of fluid from the squeezablecontainer 12, the user merely squeezes the container inwardly as is seenin FIG. 2. When the container is squeezed in this manner, the iiuidwithin the container7 under pressure, forces past the circular rib 30.

In order to effectuate a positive seal when the applicator is not in useand to prevent the undesirable leakage or evaporation of iiuid from theapplicator, the cap 62' is placed over .the neck 20 of the squeezablecontainer 12 and is screwed on to the neck 20. As the cap is screweddown on the neck, the cap shoulder 66 engages the outer edge of theupper surface 42 of the applicator head 36 and as the cap 62 is screweddown, the shoulder 66 exerts a force on the outer edge of the uppersurface 42 of the applicator head 36 thereby compressing the spring 56and forcing the base 41 of the applicator head 36 against the circularrib 30 of web 22 so as to positively seal the applicator and prevent theloss of any fluid.

In the alternate form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 6 through 9of the drawings, like reference numerals of the series will be used todesignate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeralis used to designate generally the applicator. The applicator includes asqueezable container 112 into which a body 114 is fitted. The body 114includes a projecting portion 116 of generally cylindrical shape, havinga tapered lower end for convenience of inserting the projecting portion116 into the neck 120 of the squeezable container 112. The body 114includes a web 122 which is integrally molded'with the projectingportion 116. Extending upwardly from the web 122 is a iiange or sidewall 124 which terminates in an inwardly extending swaged upper lip 126.The interior edge 128 of the swaged lip 126 acts as a retaining ring forthe applicator head, the purpose of which will become apparent as thespecification continues.

The web 122 is provided with a raised interior circular rib 130 whichrib is located inwardly of the interior edge 128 of the swaged lip 126.A valve member generally designated as 134 is inserted through thecentral opening 132 in the web 122. The valve member has an enlargedhead portion 136. Extending downwardly from the lower surface 138 andformed integrally therewith is an elongated narrow neck section 140. Theelongated narrow neck section of the valve member is placed within andthrough the central opening 132 in the web 122. p

A helical spring assembly, generally designated as 150 having anenlarged upper ring colla-r 152 and a closed base section 154 and aplurality of deformable spring bands 156. The entire helical springassembly 150f is slipped upwardly toward the web 122 so that the' upperring collar 152 will abut the lower portion of the web 122 and issecured thereto. rThe lower end 156 of the neck section is secured tothe closed base section 154 by glueing, swaging or the like. In thealternative, the helical spring assembly and the valve member 134 may beformed as a single unit.

The head portion 136 of the valve member 134 after insertion through theweb 122 bears against the lower portion 141 of the head portion 142,which causes the head portion to bear against the inwardly extendingswaged upper lip 126 of the body 114.

The squeezable container 112 is provided with screw threads 160 alongthe neck portion 120 thereof. A cap 162 is provided with abristle-receiving area 164, and further has an inwardly and downwardlyextending shoulder portion 166 which extends across the interior of thecap 162. The cap is provided with screw threads 169 which arecomplementary to and adapted to cooperate with the screw threads 160 onthe squeezable container 112.

In use, with the body 114 inserted in the neck 120 of the squeezablecontainer -112 with the cap 162 removed, the applicator may be used inthe following manner:

The entire applicator unit would be inverted so that the body 114 andthe bristles 144 are facing downward toward a receiving surface. In thisposition, with the cap 162 removed from the squeezable container 112,the helical spring 150 exerts a force against the lower surface 141 ofthe head 142 so as to urge the lower surface 141 out of engagement withthe upwardly extending circular rib 130 of the web 122 in such a mannerthat the upper surface of the shoulder 138 will abut the swaged lip 126.In this position, fluid can be squeezed through the central opening 132in web 122. Since the fluid passages or bores 168 in the head 142 arelocated diametrically outwardly of the circular rib 130, the head mustbe raised ott of the rib 130 for fluid to ilow out of the container 112.

Inv order to dispense the desired amount of fluid from the squeezablecontainer 112, the user merely squeezes the container 112 inwardly -asis seen in FIG. 7.

In order to effectuate a positive seal when the applicator is not in useand to prevent the undesirable leakage or evaporation of iiuid from theapplicator, the cap 162 is placed over the neck 120 of the squeezablecontainer 112 and is screwed onto the neck 120. As the cap is screwedonto the neck 120, the cap shoulder 166 engages the outer edge 143 ofthe upper surface of the head 142 and as `the cap 162. is screwed down,the shoulder 166 by abutting the head 142 exerts a force on the headthereby cornpressing the helical spring 150 and forcing the lower edge141 of the head 142 against the circular rib 130 of web 122 so as to`positively seal the applicator and prevent any fluid loss.

In the alternate form of the invention illustrated in FIG. of thedrawings, like reference numerals of the 200 series will be used todesignate the parts of the invention wherein reference numeral 210designates the applicator assembly. The assembly includes a container(not shown) having a neck 220. The body 214 includes a downwardlyextending portion 216 which is to be inserted into the neck 220 of thesqueezable container. Extending upwardly from the body 214 is a flangeor side wall 224 which terminates in an inwardly extending swaged upperlip 226.

A web portion 222 having downwardly extending legs 228 is inserted intothe body section 214 in such a manner that the downwardly extending legs228 of the web 222 abut the downwardly extending portion 216 of the body214. The web 222 is provided with bristles 230 and has a central opening232 therein. A circular rib 234 having tapered interior and exteriorwalls 236, 238 respectively extends upwardly of the web 222 and servesas a plug guide.

A cap 240 is provided with threads 242 which are complementary to andadapted to cooperate with the screw threads 244 on the container neck220. Extending downwardly from the central portion of the cap is a plug250 which has a tapered or pointed lower end 252.

When the cap 240 is screwed onto the neck 220 of the container, thelower pointed end 252 of the plug 250 moves downward and functions asneedle valve means until the lower pointed end 252 tits snugly into thecentral opening 232 within the interior walls 236 thereby positivelypreventing any leakage 4from the container.

When the cap 240 is removed from the neck 220 in order to use theapplicator, the applicator is inverted and squeezed until such time assuicient fluid hasrbeen dispensed.

Referring now to the ebodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. l1,reference numeral 310' is used to generally designate the applicatorwhich includes a squeezable container 112 in the neck 320 of whichprojecting 6 portion 316 is iitted. The web 322 is integrally moldedwith the projecting portion 316 and extending upwardly from the web 322is a side -wall `324 which terminates in an upper inwardly bevelled lip326.

The web 322 is provided with a circular rib 330. A valve membergenerally designated at 334 is provided and is provided with a necksection 340. A helical spring assem-bly 350 having an enlarged upperring collar 352 and a closed base`section is used to control the valveassembly much in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. 6.

Mounted on the neck section 340 is an enlarged head section 342 whichhas a bevelled upper edge 343 and may have bristles 344 or the likethereon, and bores 368 therethrough. A cap 362 provided with a shoulder366 is provided.

This embodiment of the invention functions in a manner similar to theembodiment of FIG. 6. The lip 326 engages the bevelled edge 343 whichfunctions as a stop.

A latitude of modification, substitution and change is intended in theforegoing disclosure, and in some instances some features of theinvention will be employed without a corresponding use of otherfeatures. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims beconstrued broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scopeof the present invention.

I claim:

1. An applicator comprising a cylindrical body including, a valve seatprovided about said opening, a transverse web having an opening therein,a valve member rotatably disposed in said |body and extending throughsaid opening and movable with respect to said valve seat to controlliuid flow through said opening, said body having retaining means at itsupper edge, saidsvalvemember including an applicator head above saidweb, spring means for urging said head away from saidlweb, stop means onsaid head for engaging said lip to limit outward movement of said head,and a cap threadedly engageable with said container, said cap having ashoulder engageable with saidhead for forcing said'head toward said webwhen said cap is in a threadedly closed position.

2. An applicator comprising a squeezable container; a cyclindrical bodysecured to said container, said body including a transverse web, `saidweb having an opening therein, a valve seat provided about said opening,a valve member extending through said opening` and movable with respectto said valve seat to control fluid flow through said opening. said bodyhaving an inwardly extending lip at its upperedge, said valvememberrincluding an applicator head above said web; spring means forurging said head away from said web, stop means'on said head forengaging said lip to limit outward movement of said head, and a capthreadedly engageable with said container, said cap having a shoulderengageable with said head for forcing said head toward said web whensaid cap is in a threadedly closed position. l

3. An applicator according to claim 2, wherein said spring-meansincludes a coil spring disposedbetween said stop means and said lip.

4. An applicator comprising a squeezable container, `a cylindrical bodysecured to said container, said body including a transverse web havingan opening therein, a raised peripheral rib on said web andextendingabout said opening and forming a valve seat, a valve memberextending through said opening and movable with respect to said valveseat to control fluid -tlow through said opening, said. body having aninwardly etxending lip at its upper edge, said valve member including an.applicator head aboye said web, said head being engageable with saidrib to control `fluid flow from said container to said head, springmeans for urging said' head away from said rib, stop means `on said headfor engaging said lip to limit outward movement ofsaid head, and ay capthreadedly engageable with said container,v said cap having a shoulderenageable with said head for forcing said head against said rib whensaid cap is in a threadedly closed position.

5. An applicator comprising a cylindrical body, including a transverseweb having an opening therein, a raised peripheral rib on said web andextending about said opening and vforming a valve seat, a valve memberrotatably disposed in said body and extending through said opening andmovable with respect to said Ivalve seat to control fluid flow throughsaid opening, said body having an inwardly extending lip at its upperedge, said valve member including an applicator head above said web,said head being engageable with said rib to control luid llow fromsaidcontainer to said head, spring means for urging said head away fromsaid rib, stop means on said head for engaging said lip to limit outwardmovement of said head, and a cap threadedly engageable with saidcontainer, said cap having a shoulder engageable with said head forforcing said head against said rib when said cap is in a threatedlyclosed position, said valve head having a plurality of bores extendingtherethrough outwardly spaced from said rib.

6. An applicator according to claim 5, including bristles in said valvelhead forming fluid application means.

7. An applicator according to claim 45, wherein said opening iscircular, said valve member having a neck portion disposed in saidopening, said neck portion being square in cross sectional shape.

`8. An applicator comprising a squeezable container, a cyclindrical bodysecured to said container, said body including a transverse web, saidweb having an opening therein, a raised peripheral rib on said webandextend# ing about said opening and forming a valve seat, a valvemember extending through -said opening and movable with respect to saidvalve seat to control Afluid now through said opening, said body havingan inwardly extending lip at its upper edge, said valve member includingan applicator head above said web, said head being engageable with saidrib to control Huid ow from said container to said head, spring meansforurging said head away from said rib, stop means on said head forengaging said'lip` to limit outward movement of said head, and a capthreadedly engageable with said container, said cap having a shoulderengageable with said head for forcing said head against'said rib whensaid cap is in a threadedly closed position, said spring means includinga helical coil disposed entirely lbelow said web, said helical coilhaving a closed base portion and Van enlarged upper ring collar, saidvalve member having an elongated neck section, said neck section beingsecured to said base portion of said helical spring and to said head,said neck section extending through said ring collar and said web, saidring collary engaging said web so that said helical coil normally urgessaid head away from said web.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,331,094 7/l967 Schwartzrnan401-269 EDWARD L. ROBERTS, Przma/y Examiner.

